A Royal Decree was issued on Thursday approving the formation of a new Cabinet, headed by Omar Razzaz.

The Royal Decree approved the appointment of Razzaz as Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.

In addition, the Decree approved the appointment of the following:

1. Rajai Muasher as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State

2. Ayman Safadi as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates

3. Adel Tweissi as Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research

4. Hala Bseiso Lattouf as Minister of Social Development

5. Musa Maaytah as Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs

6. Samir Murad as Minister of Labour

7. Mahmoud Sheyyab as Minister of Health

8. Yahya Kisbi as Minister of Public Works and Housing

9. Nayef Al Fayez as Minister of Environment

10. Walid Masri as Minister of Transport and Minister of Municipal Affairs

11. Majd Shweikeh as Minister of Public Sector Development

12. Lina Annab as Minister of Tourism and Antiquities

13. Khaled Hneifat as Minister of Agriculture

14. Awad Abu Jarad Mashagbeh as Minister of Justice

15. Muhannad Shehadeh as Minister of State for Investment Affairs

16. Samir Mubaideen as Minister of Interior

17. Abdul Nasser Abul Basal as Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs

18. Ezzedine Kanakrieh as Minister of Finance

19. Munir Oweis as Minister of Water and Irrigation

20. Azmi Mahafzah as Minister of Education

21. Makram Queisi as Minister of Youth

22. Mubarak Abu Yameen as Minister of State for Legal Affairs

23. Tariq Hammouri as Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply

24. Jumana Ghunaimat as Minister of State for Media Affairs

25. Hala Zawati as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources

26. Mary Kawar as Minister of Planning and International Cooperation

27. Basma Nsour as Minister of Culture

28. Mothanna Gharaibeh as Minister of Information and Communications Technology

The new Cabinet members were sworn in before His Majesty King Abdullah.

His Royal Highness Prince Hashim bin Al Hussein, the Chief Royal Councillor, Royal Hashemite Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Adviser to His Majesty and Director of the Office of His Majesty Manar Dabbas, His Majesty’s advisers, Royal Hashemite Court Secretary General Yousef Issawi, and Keeper of the Royal Privy Purse Mohammad Abu Taleb attended the swearing in ceremony.

In his reply to the Letter of Designation, Prime Minister Razzaz said the government will follow an untraditional approach, based on fieldwork, dialogue, and public outreach, pledging to take measures to address economic slowdown and reform the economy through creative solutions.

Razzaz, who praised Jordanians’ responsible expression of their opinion and security agencies’ efforts to protect them, said the government will immediately launch a serious and productive national dialogue on the income tax.

The goal, the prime minister added, is to agree on a progressive tax, ensure the fair distribution of the tax burden, and guarantee economic growth. The government will also work in parallel to improve education, health, transport, and water services.

Moreover, Razzaz said, in his letter, that the government is committed to continuing administrative reform, developing the public sector, and enhancing public services, which entails automating a number of procedures and bolstering the e-government system.

Acknowledging that the government does not have a magic wand to resolve all the challenges and crises facing Jordan, the prime minister voiced the Cabinet’s commitment to studying all available options to mitigate the impact of regional conditions—such as the refugee crisis and border closures—on Jordan’s economy by seeking new markets.

Razzaz added that the government pledges to provide full support for the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and security agencies.

The prime minister said the government will continue political reform efforts by reviewing laws governing political life in partnership with Parliament and civil society, noting the importance of bolstering the role of political parties.

In addition, Razzaz said the government will assess decentralisation progress so far to overcome challenges facing governorate councils while cooperating closely with municipal councils to enhance services offered to citizens.

He stressed that the Cabinet will continue political and diplomatic efforts to support King Abdullah’s constructive steps in defending the Palestinian cause, preserving the status quo in Jerusalem, and safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in line with the Hashemite Custodianship.